Hinduism

The majority of the East Indian immigrants were Hindu, and their
dominant sect was Vaishnavite Hinduism. Status differences were attached
to castes, and rituals varied with caste status. The higher castes
worshipped the classic pantheon of Vishnu and Shiva. Vaishnavite
Hinduism remains the predominant religion of the IndoGuyanese , although
it has been considerably modified.

During the indenture period, the East Indian caste system, with its
reinforced variations of rites and beliefs within the Vishnu cult, broke
down. Hinduism was redefined, and caste-distinguishing practices were
eliminated. Christian missionaries attempted to convert East Indians
during the indenture period, beginning in 1852, but met with little
success. The missionaries blamed the Brahmans for their failure: the
Brahmans began administering spiritual rites to all Hindus regardless of
caste once the Christian missionaries started proselytizing in the
villages, hastening the breakdown of the caste system. After the 1930s,
Hindu conversions to Christianity slowed because the status of Hinduism
had improved and discrimination against Hindus had diminished.

Orthodox Hinduism stresses the festivities accompanying religious
rites. Festivals may last several days and are usually held in times of
crisis or prosperity. Because the sponsor of a festival provides a tent
and feeds a large number of guests, orthodox Hindu rituals require
considerable outlays of money. A Hindu family has difficulty fulfilling
ritual obligations unless it has accumulated a surplus of cash.

Since the late 1940s, reform movements have caught the attention of
many Guyanese Hindus. The most important, the Arya Samaj movement (Aryan
Society), was founded in India in 1875; the first Arya Samaj missionary
arrived in Guyana in 1910. Arya Samaj doctrine rejects the idea of caste
and the exclusive role of Brahmans as religious leaders. The movement
preaches monotheism and opposition to the use of images in worship as
well as many traditional Hindu rituals.